Beef Quality Assurance Update and Awards at CattleCon
Translation of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) materials into Spanish is underway. Veterinarians, producers, and anyone involved with worker training recognize the value of material provided in a language that the employee understands and multiple ways of providing that information, such as written, oral communication, or video. This is a major goal of the BQA program as educational resources expand.
I met with Cindy Valdez Nolasco, NCBA Associate Director, Producer Education/BQA, and we talked about the work she’s doing translating the materials. Interview with Cindy Valdez Nolasco (3:15)
During CattleCon 2025, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced the winners of the 2025 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, sponsored by Cargill, Sam’s Club and Certified Angus Beef. The BQA Awards annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of day-to-day activities.
“BQA Award winners not only incorporate BQA best management practices into their operations, but they also share the benefits of the program with their peers,” said Josh White, senior executive director of producer education and sustainability at NCBA. “Their commitment to quality and animal care transcends their physical locations.”
Here is a list of the winners. Learn more about them here.
2025 BQA Cow-Calf Award
Parker Ranch, Hawaii
2025 BQA Dairy FARM Award
VanBedaf Dairy, North Dakota
2025 BQA Feedyard Award
Grimmius Feeder, California
2025 BQA Marketer Award
Producers Livestock Market, Utah
2025 BQA Educator Award
Dr. Keith Belk, Colorado
MyLand Announces Washington State Program for Soil Health
Soil health innovator MyLand has just announced a new $4.8 million dollar program in Washington State to enhance soil health. The program is funded in combination by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State Department of Commerce and focuses on supporting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
MyLand’s new program, aiming to cover 9,000 acres in Washington, is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.
Growers that qualify to participate in the program will receive the MyLand Service at no cost in the first year. The MyLand Service leverages the power of live, native microalgae to rejuvenate soil health, improving productivity, profitability, and sustainability. MyLand integrates seamlessly into existing farm operations, providing a scalable, farmer-friendly service that delivers measurable improvements across key metrics like crop yields, product quality, water efficiency, and soil vitality.
Growers interested in participating in the program can reach out to MyLand at sales@myland.ag.
The NCBA 2024 Advocate of the Year – Emma Coffman
Back in the early days of social media we used the term, agvocate. But it really is advocating and there is a new 2024 Advocate of the Year. She’s Emma Coffman, from Temple, TX. She was selected by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The award recognizes Coffman for her creative use of storytelling across social media platforms, along with breaking down barriers as a first-generation cattle rancher. The award is part of the NCBA Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, Coffman pursued diverse opportunities in agriculture, including cattle ranching in Australia, before returning to Texas to begin her professional career. With both classroom and real-world experience, Coffman has a wealth of knowledge to share on her social media platforms where she addresses misconceptions of the beef industry and utilizes her background as a first-generation agriculturist to connect with consumers.
“As a first-generation agriculturalist, what I initially saw as my biggest disadvantage has turned out to be the greatest blessing the Lord could have given me,” said Coffman. “It has provided me with the unique opportunity to break down complex topics and present them in ways that are more relatable and understandable to everyday consumers.” You can find Emma on her website here.
I interviewed Emma at the 2025 CattleCon:
Interview with Emma Coffman (5:24)
Rep. Feenstra Champions E15 and 45Z to Help Farmers
One of ethanol’s champions in Congress visited the National Ethanol Conference this week to chat with members of the industry and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper about many issues, including his strong support of nationwide, year-round E15.
Feenstra said it was frustrating to get so close with the inclusion of the provision in the Continuing Resolution in December and then to have it pulled at the last minute. “We said we’re going to do a clean CR until Marsh 15, so now we’re back at the table again,” said Feenstra. “We really want (E15) codified, I really believe within the next several months this is going to happen. There’s just not a lot of push back.”
In his discussion with Cooper, Feenstra also talked about the Inflation Reduction Act and 45Z tax credits.
“Trump said we want to be energy independent. So how we start looking at energy independence, right? It starts with growing our own energy, right? Ethanol. How do we do it? Well, that’s where 45Z comes in,” said Feenstra. “Last year we passed a bill for $12 billion to give farmers to help them out. We don’t want that. We want to make sure that we have a place to go with our corn and soy beans and that’s where we have a 45Z and and what it will do to grow our economy.”
Feenstra also met with reporters at the NEC who asked about SAF, farm bill, cuts at USDA, exports and more. Listen below.
Rep. Feenstra and Geoff Cooper (22:56)Rep. Feenstra and reporters
Precision Ag News 2/19
Nebraska Cattleman is New NCBA President
Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattleman, ascended to the role of NCBA president during CattleCon 2025, held this week in San Antonio, Texas. Wehrbein, with a 45-year career in the cattle feeding sector, brings decades of dedication to the industry and leadership experience to NCBA’s top leadership post.
He is particularly passionate about fostering opportunity for the next generation of cattle producers, recognizing their ability to drive innovation and industry progress. “They’re ahead of where we were in my time,” he noted. “They understand the issues, and they’re ready to make a difference.” Another important issue is taxes. “The tax issue is critically important for agriculture,” Wehrbein said. “A few years ago, there was talk of doing away with the deduction of expenses, and that would have been devastating. We also have to keep pushing on the Death Tax. With what land values have done, if families are forced to sell or split up land to pay taxes, it would put a lot of people out of business.”
Here is an interview I did with him prior to the change in officers:
Interview with Buck Wehrbein (3:08)
The 2025 NCBA officer team, approved by the NCBA board of directors, took office at the end of this year’s convention. Gene Copenhaver of Virginia was named president-elect and Kim Brackett of Idaho was elected vice president. Skye Krebs of Oregon was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division and Kenny Rogers of Colorado was elected policy vice chair. Nancy Jackson of Mississippi and Travis Maddock of North Dakota were elected as chair and vice chair of the NCBA Federation Division, respectively. Brad Hastings of Texas will continue to serve in the role of NCBA treasurer.
RFA CEO on the State of the Ethanol Industry
As is tradition, the 30th annual National Ethanol Conference kicked off with the State of the Industry address from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, who highlighted the industry’s pivotal role in American agriculture and outlined how ethanol can once again help the farm sector thrive in the face of current economic challenges.
Cooper reflected on the industry’s rich history while also looking toward the future under the leadership of President Trump and a new Congress.
“From the early days of ‘gasohol’ during the Carter administration to the transformative passage of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005, the ethanol industry has evolved into a cornerstone of both U.S. energy security and agricultural prosperity,” Cooper said. “The success of ethanol, driven by the RFS, has had a profound impact on American consumers and farmers alike, helping lower pump prices, enhance energy independence, and bolster rural communities.”
Click here for Cooper’s remarks as prepared.
State of the Industry Address – RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, Industry Address (35:56)
Time To Register for NAMA Palooza
I’m all signed up to go to Kansas City this spring for the 2025 NAMA Agri-Marketing Conference! I can’t wait to join my fellow agri-marketers for this incredible event. Join me!
The NAMAPalooza will take place at the Sheraton Crown Center Hotel, 2345 McGee, Kansas City, Missouri. Get registered if you haven’t yet. The hotel cutoff is March 17, 2025. Git-R-Done.
CattleFax Forecast is Continued Strong Demand & High Price Outlook
The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, shared expert market and weather analysis. Pictured are Jerry Adams, CattleFax President who is shown giving Randy Blach, CEO, CattleFax some recognition for his many years of service.
Here are some excerpts and their remarks on stage. I’m starting with Matt Makens, Meteorologist / Atmospheric Scientist at Makens Weather LLC.
Weather conditions will remain a critical factor influencing grazing availability, herd expansion and cattle prices. Meteorologist Matt Makens said La Niña this winter brings rather volatile weather changes across North America with the majority of weather extremes affecting those in the Central to Eastern U.S. For Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., producers will see drought acreage increase as it has nationwide since June.
“Drought will likely increase across the Western U.S. this spring and into the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, and Canadian Prairies through this summer. To watch will be the North American monsoon and how much drought relief it can provide to Mexico, the Southwest, and parts of the Plains,” he said. “Current data show the monsoon is likely to produce more moisture this year than last. A strong enough monsoon can decrease precipitation across the central Corn Belt, watch July closely. Late in the year, the focus turns to the development of La Niña or El Niño.”
Listen to his remarks here:
Matt Makens presentation (20:56)
Next is Kevin Good, vice president of market analysis at CattleFax. He reported that U.S. beef cow herd is expected to see the cycle low to start 2025 at 28 million head, 150,000 head below last year and 3.5 million head from the 2019 cycle highs.
“We expect cow and bull slaughter to continue declining in 2025, with overall numbers down by about 300,000 head to 5.9 million head total. Feeder cattle and calf supplies outside of feedyards will also shrink by roughly 150,000 head, while cattle on feed inventories are starting the year slightly below 2024 levels at 11.9 million head,” he said. “With a tighter feeder cattle supply, placement pace will be more constrained, leading to a projected 700,000-head drop in commercial fed slaughter to 24.9 million. After modest growth in 2024, beef production is expected to decline by about 600 million pounds to 26.3 billion in 2025, ultimately reducing net beef supply per person by 0.8 pounds.”
Beef prices continued their upward trend in 2024, averaging $8.01/lb., the second-highest demand level in history. While demand may ease slightly in 2025, retail prices are still expected to rise to an average of $8.25/lb. Wholesale prices will follow suit, with the cutout price projected to reach $320/cwt.
Listen to his remarks here:
Kevin Good presentation (22:54)
Concluding the session is Randy Blach, CattleFax chief executive officer.
He has an overall positive outlook, and noted that strong margins in the cow-calf sector have set the stage for cowherd expansion to begin, with heifer retention likely back near a more normal pace, relative to minimal retention in recent years. Drought and pasture conditions are now the key factors influencing the rate of expansion with a slower herd rebuild anticipated compared to the last cycle. This more measured expansion pace implies a positive outlook for producer returns over the next several years. Strong consumer demand also remains a bright spot for the industry.
“We have to remember where we came from,” Blach said. “Continued improvements in quality and meeting consumer expectations with a safe, nutritious product and a consistently good eating experience have had tremendous impacts on moving the needle for this industry. We’re moving in the right direction, and we need to keep paying attention to that signal.”
Listen to his remarks here:
Randy Blach presentation (17:25)